North Korea released the first photographs of the country's next leader Kim Jong Un on Thursday.

Pictures of North Korea's heir apparent revealed a chubby-faced young man wearing a communist-style black suit and a sober expression. His hair was combed back, cut high and tight on the sides.

"Now Kim Jong Un will manage all domestic affairs and Kim Jong Il will handle the bigger issues ... and just provide guidance on the rest," said Cheong Seong-chang, an expert on North Korean politics at the Sejong Institute think tank near Seoul.

"From now on we'll see and hear more and more about Kim Jong Un than we will about Kim Jong Il," he said.

Kim Jong Un, who is believed to be in his 20s, is the youngest son of the country's current leader Kim Jong Il.

The father passed over two other children, choosing his youngest son to be his successor.

The oldest son, Kim Jong-nam, was disgraced because he tried to enter Japan with a fake passport. Rumors have circulated that he was attempting to visit Tokyo Disneyland. Middle son Jong Chol was reportedly considered "too girlish" to carry on the third generation dynasty.

Kim Jong Il, 68, has ruled North Korea since he took over for his father in 1994.